Safeguarding is about people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that the person’s wellbeing is promoted.

Overgate Hospice defines abuse as a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to a vulnerable person. Abuse can take many forms and can be perpetrated anywhere by anyone. It can be accidental, as the result of lack of knowledge or understanding, or done with intent to harm. Whatever the circumstances or reason, it is against the law. The term safeguarding means a range of activities aimed at upholding every individual’s fundamental right to be safe from such harm.

Safeguarding is everybody’s business

We all share responsibility to ensure that every person in society is treated with dignity and respect and protected from others who may abuse them. All employees and volunteers of Overgate Hospice who come into contact with patients in the course of their work have a duty of care to safeguard and promote their welfare and to work to prevent, detect and report neglect and abuse.


Who is at risk?

Someone at risk is someone who:

  •  - Has needs for care and support
  • - Is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect
  • - As a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect


Safeguarding children means:

 
  • - Protecting children from abuse and maltreatment
  • - Preventing harm to children’s health or development
  • - Ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
  • - Taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes

Abuse can occur anywhere at any time and can be carried out by anyone. It can be a single act, repeated acts over a period of time or due to a failure to act (neglect). It can happen to one person or several people at the same time.
 

Speak up

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact a member of the Social Work Team: Sherell Hudson (Social Worker), Lisa Mieszkowska (Case Manager) or Marie Sullivan (Deputy Director of Clinical Services), Kim Turner (Director of Clinical Services) or Anne Cawdron (Trustee) by calling 01422 379151.